Railway-signal



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

0. SELDEN 83 G. R. OTT. RAILWAY SIGNAL.

No. 395,181. Patented Dec. 25, 1888.

W/TNESSES film/TOR A 77' OHN E Y8 N, PETERS, Phulo-Lilhogmphar. wmin wn. D. Q

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

O. SELDEN & G. R. ()TT.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

Patented'Deo. 25, 1888.

By 5, w

' ATTORNEYS WITNESSES N PETERS, Pholo-hibogmphcr. Washington. DVQ

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

O. SELDEN & G. R. OTT. RAILWAY SIGNAL.

No. 395,181. Patented Dec. 25, 1888.

N, PETERS, Pholo-Lithogmphnr, Washingtnn. D.C.

UNITED .TATES PATENT Orrien.

CHARLES SELDEN AND GEORGE R. OTT, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

RAI LWAY-SIG NAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,181, dated December 25, 1888.

Application filed July 1, 1887- Serial No. 243,186. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES SELDEN and GEORGE R. OTT, citizens of the United States, and residents of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Railway-Signal, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to railway signal apparatus, and has reference more particularly to the mechanism employed in operating or controlling the signal.

Our invention is designed particularly for application to signal apparatus in which pivoted semaphore arms orblades are employed, that are mounted so as to be capable of swinging in a plane at right angles to the track, and may be moved into different positions by the signalanan, as is well understood in the art.

Our invention is, however, applicable to signals of any character, although, for the sake of illustration, we have herein illustrated our invention as applied to movable semaphore arms or blades.

It has heretofore been proposed to employ a single arm or blade, which being placed at one positionas, for instance, at right angles to its supportii1g-posthas one significance, at an intermediate angle of, say, forty-five degrees another significance, and when brought parallel with the post and behind the shield gives another indication. It has also been before proposed to operate a number of arms or blades by separate hand-levers and connecting-cords.

Our invention consists, essentially, in oper ating or controlling two or more separate sig nals or signal-arms by a single haudlever, and in the preferred form of our invention we likewise use'a single connecting cord or wire between the operating-lever and the signals.

Our invention consists in the combination, with a signal of any desired character and the operating-lever therefor, which is under the control of a signal-man, of one or more additional signals having their actuating or controlling devices arranged in proper position to be engaged by some portion of the actuating or cont-rolling mechanism employed in moving the first signal. \Ve prefer to so arrange the mechanism that on the completion of the movement of the actuating-lever and connecting mechanism which is required to move the first-named signal from its normal position to another position having another significance a continuance of the movement of said lever or operating mechanism in the same direction shall result in moving the second signal, and if a third signal be employed a further movement after the operation of the second signal shall result in operating the third.

\Ve also prefer to carry out our invention in connection with signal-arms of different colors. hen signal arms or blades areemployed, they are preferably provided with holders for glass or other transparent material, which are brought out of and into line with a light when the signal is employed at night; or said signal-arms may be used with other devices, as well understood in the art, for giving suitable color indications at night.

Our invention relates, further, to a novel form of holder for the arm or blade and the glass employed with the same, as will be hereinafter described, whereby the same form of holder may be employed for arms or blades which require their glasses to be brought into line with the lantern when said blades are set at different angles.

Our invention consists, further, in the novel combinations and details, that will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and then stated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows in side elevation a preferred form of apparatus embodying our invention. Fig. 2 shows in enlarged scale and in side elevation the mechanism which is placed at the signalpost and is connected on the one hand through awire or rope with the hand-lever, which is operated by the signal-man, and on the other with the signals through proper operatingrods. Fig. 3 shows in edge view parts of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows in side view one of the semaphore arm or blade holders detached. Fig. 5 shows the same in edge view. Fig. 6 is a side elevation in reduced scale of the supporting bracket on which the semaphore-holder is pivoted, and Fig. 7 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 8 is a top view, and Fig. 9 is a side elevation, of a lantern-holder and water-shed applied to the top of the post. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 represent the three several positions of the apparatus constructed as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 13 shows a modified means for indicating to the signal-man the position of a semaphore arm or blade when the latter is so located as to be invisible to him.

In Fig. l the signal-post A, placed beside the tracks, carries two sets of signal arms or semaphores, B O and B 0 which are arranged to swing transversely to the line of the track. One set only of arms to wit, B C- is shown connected with operating mechanism for the sake of simplicity. A mechanism similar to that for B 0 might be employed for operating arms B 0 or any additional sets of arms.

The arm B is colored red, and when in the position shown indicates danger. XV hen it is set to vertical position behind the screen D, the indication is safety or line clear. \Vhen the arm 0 is swung out from behind the screen D to an angle of, say, thirty to fifty degrees, the arm B being at the same time in vertical position, the indication is caution or go slowly.

The holders for the two arms B C are indicated at b c, and are preferably of cast-iron. Each carries a piece of suitably-colored glass or other transparent material, G, which when the arm swings out from the vertical position comes into line with a lamp or lantern, A on the top of the post, so as to show a color corresponding to that of the arms or semaphores B O, as is well understood in the art. The holders for the two arms or semaphores are pivoted at the point '5 011 a bracket, E, secured to the side of the signal-post A. The bracket is of the form indicated in Figs. 0 and 7, and is provided with studs 6 e projecting from it in opposite directions to form bearings upon which the holders may rotate.

At the points F F the bracket has two limiting-stops, with which a lug, f, Fig. 4, 011 each holder engages in the two positions of the arm. The extent of movement of the holder and its arm is determined by the length of the lug or projection f on each holder, the lug on the holder Z) for the arm or semaphore B being of smaller extent than that for the holder 0, so that the former may move through an angle of ninety degrees between the stops, while the latter can move for approximately fifty degrees only from a vertical toward a horizontal. I

In order that the principle of the invention may be better understood, we will first describe the actuating or controlling devices employed in moving the semaphore-arm B from its normal or horizontal position to the vertical.

At any suitable position on the signal-post is mounted a pulley or sheave, K, secured upon the plate I which is secured to the post A near its lower end and serves as the support for the sheave or pulley. Over this sheave runs a cord or wire, N, connecting the same with a lever, O, placed in the signalmans house or in any other desired position,

which lever is the operating or hand lever employed by the signal-man in operating the semaphore-arms.

Mounted -upon or secured to the sheave K or to the hub thereof in any suitable manner is a cam, I, upon which bears a lever, 71, connected by a rod, H, with the holder 1). The lever h is preferably provided with a friction-roller, i, as indicated.

In order that the parts may have a bias tending to hold the semaphore-arm B in danger position, we provide a weight, secured to a cord passing over the sheave or drum K, or otherwise connected with the parts, so that on the release of the lever O, or on the breakage or detachment of any of the parts, the arm B will be automatically set in the position shown in Fig. 1. In order to throw the arm B into the vertical or safety position the lever O is swung over the segment P, thus rotating the camv I into the position shown in Fig. 12, thereby raising the free end of lever h, and through the rod H swinging the holder and connected arm into position behind the screen D.

The operating-lever O is provided with any suitable locking device or catch, as is well understood in the art, which will automatically stop it in the position shown in Fig. 12 until it is released by hand, when it may be thrown farther forward into the position shown in Fig. 13, as will be presently described.

In order to avoid the use of two connecting cords or wires, N, the actuating mechanism for the second holder, 0, and semaphore-arm O is arranged so as to be engaged by some por-' tion of the actuating mechanism employed in operating the arm B at apoint 'at or near the signal-post. One of the means which may be employed for this purpose consists of a lever, 7L2, connected by a rod, H with the holder 0, as indicated, so that when the lever is raised the arm C will be swung out from the position shown in Fig. 1. toward a horizontal until the lugf of the holder 0 engages with the upper limitingstop, F on brackets E.

The mechanism just described is actuated by means of a lug, pin, or cam, M, which is preferably located between the cam and sheave, (see Fig. 3,) so as to be carried by the sheave or a part moving therewith, and arranged in position, as indicated, so that after the arm B has been lowered said pin will, by a continuance of the movement of the sheave, be brought into engagement with the lever 712, so as to swing said lever upward, thereby raising the arm 0. The arm O or the parts c0nnected therewith are suitably weighted, so that said arm will automatically seek the position shown in Fig. l. A suitable stop, 1 is provided for the cam and sheave. The cam I is suitably shaped, so that after the arm B has been fully lowered the further movement of the cam will have no effect on the same.

The operation of the devices is as follows: Normally the parts are in the positionindicated in Fig. 1, which, as has been explained, they will naturally assume by the action of gravity or other power when the operating-lever O is released. In order to give the indication of safety, by throwing the arm B out of sight, the lever O is turned to the position indicated in Fig. 12, as before explained. Neither arm is then in view, and at night the glass G for holder 1) will have been thrown out of line with the lantern A In order to give the indication of caution, the lever O is moved forward still farther in the same direction, thereby causing the cam or stud M to lift lever 7L2 and throw the arm C out at an angle, at the same time bringing the glass G for said arm into line with the lantern. On moving the lever back to the position indicated in Fig. 12 both arms are obscured, and on allowing the lever O to move still farther back to the position indicated in Fig. 11 the arm B is raised into a position at right angles to the post.

\Vhen the signal-man is stationed in line with the sign al-arms, as is frequently the case, it is obvious that without some additional appliance he cannot readily see the position of the signal-arms. In order to provide a means whereby he may at all times know whether the arm is properly set, we provide auxiliary glasses or spectacles-such as indicated at Ras shown in Fig. 3, which are supported on arms, as at 1', which extend at right angles from the holders 1) c, in such position that when the arm is set to dange1" position the glass or spectacle R will. be in line with the lantern. \Vhen the signal withdrawn, the spectacle or glass R is withdrawn from the line with the light.

It may sometimes occur that the signal-post is out of the range of view of the signal-man, in which case the glass or spectacle which shall give an indication to the signal-man of the position of the signal-arm is placed near the signal house or lever, and, if desired, within the same, and is connected with a system of levers and wires or cords with a device that is placed in position to be struck by the signal-arm. This modification is indicated in Fig. 14. A lever, R suitably mounted upon the signal-post, is arranged in position to be operated by the signal arm B when the latter falls to vertical position. The lever R being connected by a system of levers and cords, as shown, with the indicator U, will operate or move the same, so as to show to the signalman that the arm B has been withdrawn. The devices for operating the indicator U, Fig. 14, are properlybiased,so as to tend normally to indicate dang-e1" position of the signal B.

At S, Fig. 9, we have indicated a water-shed plate, which is applied to the top of the signal-post, and carries a stud, T, adapted to fit into a socket in the base of the lantern, so as to securely hold the latter. The stud or proj ection T affords also a hand-held for persons ascending the latter to place the lamp. The holder for the arms or blades is made in the form indicated in Fig. 4, and is preferably cast in one piece. lVe also construct said holder so that the same pattern or form of holder may be used for both arms by simply inverting it.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that movement of the arm or blade 0 outward and upward to an angle of forty-five degrees or something more will bring the glass or its holder into line with the lantern, while similarly a movement of the arm 1-3 from a vertical position to a position at full right angles will bring its glass into line with the same lantern. Thisis accomplished by placing the glass G at one side of the line of the blade, as indicated in Fig. 4, as will be obvious. The same holder which is employed for arm C may then, by being turned upside down, be employed for the arm B by proper arrangement of lug The glass-holding rim or frame (indicated at XV) provided with suitable screws or clamps, n, for holding the glass in place. The lug f is cast on the holder, and the hub P is likewise cast in one piece with the holder. The hub P fits on either 6 or 6 \Vhat we claim as our invention is- 1. In a railway signal apparatus, the'combination of two independent signal arms or blades, one indicating safety and the other danger and adapted to be alternately exposed to view, an operating-cam connected with one of said signal arms or blades and controlled .by a single wire and lever, and an actuating device connected to the other signal arm or blade and moving with said operating-cam, but differently disposed, as described, the second signal being adapted to be brought into view by a continuance of movement in the same direction of the operatingcam after the first signal has been obscured, substantially as described.

2. In a railway signal apparatus, the com bination, with two signals, of two levers each having an independent connection with one of said signals, and a cam operated by a single wire for moving one of said levers and sig nals, another cam moving with the first cam,

but differently disposed, as described, to actuate the second lever and signal upon a continuance of movement in the same direction of the first cam and after the signal under control of said cam has been obscured, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a railway signal apparatus, the com bination of two signals, a cam operated by a single wire, a lever riding on said cam and connected with one of said signals, an actuating devicesuch as a pin or studmoving with IIO said cam, and a second lever connected with the second signal and normally ar anged in the path of the actuating device to operate its signal upon a continuance of movement of the cam in the same direction and after the first signal has been obscured, substantially as described.

4. In a railway signal apparatus, the com bination, with two signals, of a sheave operated by a single wire and lever, a cam, I, moving with said sheave and having a pin or stud, M, a lever, h, connected with one of said signals and riding on said cam, and another lever connected with. the other signal and normally arranged in the path of the stud or pin M, to be operated by said stud or pin on a continuance of movement of the cam in the same direction, whereby the second signal is set after the first signal has been obscured by a single movement of the operating-lever in one direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination of a fixed suppciting-bracket, E, extending laterally from a post and having the stops, as F F and two semaphore arms or blades pivoted to said bracket on opposite sides thereof and adapted to strike the stops, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination, with the movable semaphore-arm, of an indicator carried by said arm and projecting at right angles therefrom to be brought intoline with a lantern when said semaphore-arm is exposed to view, substantially as described.

7. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination, with a movable semaphore-arm, of an indicator projecting at right angles therefrom and mechanical devices connecting said indicator with the arm, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a railroad signal apparatus, a Watershed plate, S, provided with a stud, T, upon which the lantern is supported, as and for the purpose described.

Signed at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, this 30th day of June, A. D. 1887.

CHARLES SELDEN. GEORGE R. OTT. \Vitm s :es:

MURRAY HANSON,

WVILLIAM H. BERRY. 

